Restore the Historic Hopkins House
Donation protected
My wife and I are "history buffs", authors, and paranormal investigators. This house came into our life when the property owner contacted us to look into the reports of paranormal activity on the property before she sold it to someone.
We fell in love with the house and knew immediately that we needed to be the ones to buy it. We immediately made an offer and after over a year of negotiations we are going to be able to move in soon.
This Queen Anne Victorian was built in 1896 by the Hopkins family. Construction was led by master architect David Hopkins. David also designed the Hackley and Hume Houses in Muskegon, which are on the National Registry of Historic Places.
The Hopkins son George P. Hopkins lived in the house from the time it was built until his death in 1933, his wife remained there until 1945.
George started to study law in 1881, he would practice law for over 50 years eventually serving as Kalamazoo County Prosecutor, Kalamazoo Probate Judge and Head of the Kalamazoo Bar Association. In addition to these political offices he also held office in several Fraternal Organizations. He was a Master Mason in the Anchor Lodge of Strict Observance #87 of the Free and Accepted Masons (Free-Masons), he was also served as Worthy Grand Patron of the Corinthian Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star (Freemasonry-related fraternal organization open to both men and women) as well as Eminent Commander of Peninsular Commandery, Knights Templar #8 .
George died in the master bedroom and his spirit has been reported there by several previous tenants. In fact when we were asked to investigate the home, we were told there are even corresponding police reports from when the tenants called the police thinking there was a prowler on the second floor.
The house as we first saw it
The house was locked up and unoccupied though one of the worst winters this state has experienced in recent years and the weather took its toll. The roof now needs to be replaced and due to the fact that it contains asbestos the new roof with historically accurate shingles is estimated to be an $8,000 dollar expense that we never planned on.
Due to the leaks in the roof the ceilings and floors on the main and second floor have been severely damaged, the estimates for repairs of these areas vary from $2,000 - 4,000 another unplanned expense.
Damage from master bath
Damaged floor from roof leak
Ceiling damage from roof leak
There is one other issue that was unforeseen when we were able to enter the house it became obvious that the pipes had been damaged by the cold weather, a fact made apparent by the damage to the floor of the bathroom and the ceiling below it.
We love this house and will not let these setbacks prevent us from restoring and saving this historic gem, we are just hoping that some fellow "history buffs" or paranormal enthusiast might be willing to give us a few dollars towards the unexpected expenses that occurred while the house sat abandoned for the past few years. We know times are tough and we are grateful for anything you can spare.
We fell in love with the house and knew immediately that we needed to be the ones to buy it. We immediately made an offer and after over a year of negotiations we are going to be able to move in soon.
This Queen Anne Victorian was built in 1896 by the Hopkins family. Construction was led by master architect David Hopkins. David also designed the Hackley and Hume Houses in Muskegon, which are on the National Registry of Historic Places.
The Hopkins son George P. Hopkins lived in the house from the time it was built until his death in 1933, his wife remained there until 1945.
George started to study law in 1881, he would practice law for over 50 years eventually serving as Kalamazoo County Prosecutor, Kalamazoo Probate Judge and Head of the Kalamazoo Bar Association. In addition to these political offices he also held office in several Fraternal Organizations. He was a Master Mason in the Anchor Lodge of Strict Observance #87 of the Free and Accepted Masons (Free-Masons), he was also served as Worthy Grand Patron of the Corinthian Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star (Freemasonry-related fraternal organization open to both men and women) as well as Eminent Commander of Peninsular Commandery, Knights Templar #8 .
George died in the master bedroom and his spirit has been reported there by several previous tenants. In fact when we were asked to investigate the home, we were told there are even corresponding police reports from when the tenants called the police thinking there was a prowler on the second floor.
The house as we first saw itThe house was locked up and unoccupied though one of the worst winters this state has experienced in recent years and the weather took its toll. The roof now needs to be replaced and due to the fact that it contains asbestos the new roof with historically accurate shingles is estimated to be an $8,000 dollar expense that we never planned on.
Due to the leaks in the roof the ceilings and floors on the main and second floor have been severely damaged, the estimates for repairs of these areas vary from $2,000 - 4,000 another unplanned expense.
Damage from master bathDamaged floor from roof leakCeiling damage from roof leakThere is one other issue that was unforeseen when we were able to enter the house it became obvious that the pipes had been damaged by the cold weather, a fact made apparent by the damage to the floor of the bathroom and the ceiling below it.
We love this house and will not let these setbacks prevent us from restoring and saving this historic gem, we are just hoping that some fellow "history buffs" or paranormal enthusiast might be willing to give us a few dollars towards the unexpected expenses that occurred while the house sat abandoned for the past few years. We know times are tough and we are grateful for anything you can spare.
Organizer
Robert A. Du Shane
Organizer
